Circular knitting full length lady&#39;s hosiery machine



June 1-7, 1941. E. P. BELLMAN CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY' MACHINE Filed Aug 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 'June 17, 1941. BELLMAN 2,245,749

CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Shset 2 iwaadZZfiPZ/man M June 17, 1941. E. P. BELLMAN 2,245,749

CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet s EZwmdfZeZ/ma v June 17, 1941. E R B LLM 2,245,749

CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 zuoodfiji llman June 17, 1941. E P, ELLMAN ,2',245,749

CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MAC HINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 17, 1941., E; P. BELLMAN 2,245,749

CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22', 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet s Juhe 17, 1941. E. P. BELLMAN CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 June17, 1941. L E P, BELL 2,245,759 x CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 I 10 Sheets-Shet a E. P. BELLMAN June 17, 1941.

' CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 June 17, 1941. E. P. BELLMAN CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 .ZZavoad 2 302122202 V needles by the reinforcing yarn Patented June 17, 1941 CIRCULAR KNITTING FULL LENGTH LADYS HOSIERY MACHDIE Elwood P. Bellman, Stony Creek Mills, Pa., as-

signor of twenty-five per cent to James P. Sullivan, Reading, Pa., fifteen per cent to Jeremiah J. Sullivan, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., and ten per cent to Mark C. McQuillen, Reading Pa.

Application August 22, 1940, Serial No. 353,151

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a circular knitting full-length ladies hosiery machine, and more particularly to means adapted thereto, whereby a machine of this character may be made to knit into selected portions of hosiery a reinforcement of a desired. design known as a high spliced heel and a cradle sole and to eliminate the excessive waste of yarn and the necessity of trimming an abundance of surplus yarn from the completed hosiery which has heretofore been necessary in ladies hosiery circular knitting machines, requiring a large number of persons to carry out such work with the possibility of damaging the hosiery and causing a large percentage of seconds or defective hosiery which must be sold at non-profitable prices or discarded at total loss.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a mechanism which may be easily in-- stalled on a ladies hosiery circular knitting machine and includes means for-varying the lengths of the courses of the reinforcement to create a selected designand a cutting and clamping means and an operating means therefor, to out and. hold the reinforcing yarn as it is withdrawn from the needles after the knitting of one course of the reinforcement and to release said reinforcing yarn for presentation to the needles for the knitting of the, succeeding course with a waste of reinforcing yarn at the ends of the completed courses of the reinforcement. A further object of this invention is the provision of means for guiding the reinforcing yarn into the path of the cutting and clamping means as said reinforcing yarn is removed from the finger of the knitting machine so as to be cut and held by said cutting and clamping means until such time the reinforcing yarn finger again presents the reinforcing yarn to the needles for the knitting of the succeeding course of the reinforcement,

With these and other objects in' view as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a Scott and Williams circular knitting hosiery machine with the present invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation partly 40 Figure 12 is an 45 Figure 13 is a detail sectional view in section illustrating said type of machine with the present invention adapted thereto.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view partly in section illustrating said machine with the dial head mounting removed and showing the application of the present invention thereto.

Figure-4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing the reinforcement pattern drum and the control cam mechanism therefor and which parts comprise portions of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view takenvon the line 55 of Figure 4 showing the reinforcement pattern drum cam levers.

l5 Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the control cam for the reinforcement pattern drum and a portion of the means oper- *ating in conjunction therewith for varying the cam levers with respect to the reinforcement pattern drum, and taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line l-l of Figure 1 illustrating a drag brake for the control cam.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary {fiers'pective view illustrating the-operating dogs or the control cam of the reinforcement pattern drum and the means for rendering said dogs effective and ineffective on said control cam and the connection thereof with the motion changing device of the knitting machine.

Figure 9 is a. fragmentary perspective view illustrating a part of the motion changing device of the circular knitting machine.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Ill-10 of Figure 8.

Figure 11.is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a push rod for the operation of the reinforcement yarn guide and its association with the master control drum.

master control drum of the knitting machine and the association therewith of a fragmentary portion of one of the push rods employed in connection with the present invention.

the line l3-l3 of Figure 2.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section illustrating a. segmental gear forming a part of the drive mechanism of the circular knitting machine of the character mentioned and the association therewith of an arm for operatin the dogs of the control cam.

Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating the reinforcement yarn guide, forming a part of the present invention.

end viewillustrating the taken on Scott and Williams circular knitting machine known as model K. In the following a brief demeans and its association with the needles of the knitting machine and the reinforcement yarn finger and the reinforcement yarn guide.

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken on the line |8l8 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a perspective view illustrating a sliding rotating block forming a part of said cutting and clamping means.

Figure 20 is a perspective view illustrating a cam for the actuation of said cutting and clamp ing means.

Figure 21 is a detail sectional view illustrating the association of the reinforcement yarn guide with the needles and with the reinforcement yarn finger and the cutting and clamping means and taken on the line 2 l-2l of Figure 17.

Figure22 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing the reinforcement yarn being guided into the path of the cutting and clamping means by the yarn guide with the reinforcement yarn finger in its uppermost position in the act of drawing the yarn from the needles.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan view showing the reinforcement yarn engaged by the yarn guide and being brought into position to be engaged by the cutting and clamping means.

Figure 24 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the reinforcement yarn approximately leaving or passing off of the yarn guide to be taken up by the needles of the knitting machine.

Figure 25, is a fragmentary sectional view illiist'rating the reinforcement yarn finger bringing the reinforcement yarn off of'the yarn guide into engagement with needles of the knitting machine.

Figure 26 is'a view similar to'Fig'ure 21'showing' the reinforcement yarn finger in position of disengaging the reinforcement yarn from the guide through the cooperation-of the needles engaging said yarn and moving in their circular path.

Figure 27 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a ladys hosiery with a reinforcement therein produced by the present invention on a circular knitting machine of the type above specified.

Figure 28 is a fragmentary plan view of the 1 ladys hosiery indicating diagrammatically the approximate length of the ends of the reinforcing yarn at the ends of the courses.

Figure 29 is a diagrammatical view showing the reinforcement pattern drum and its cam formations. v

Figure 30 is a diagrammatical view illustrating the holding and cutting means in one of its inoperative positions.

Figure 31 is a view similar to Figure 30 showing the holding and cutting means in its other inoperative position.

It is to be understood that the present invention is adaptable to various types of well known hosiery knitting machines of the circular type and for the sake of convenience I have elected to show the application of this invention to a scription of such parts of this machine will be given that will be necessary to bring out a clear conception of the construction and operation of the present. invention and its application to the type of machine specified.

The numeral 5 indicates the supporting frame of a model K Scott and Williams circular knitting machine, 6 the bed plate carried by said supporting frame, 1 the needle cylinder and 8 the needles. The usual latch ring for the needles and needle cylinder is indicated by the character 9 and the dial plate is indicated by the character 10. The dial plate head mounting is shown at I II, and is of the usual pivotally mounted type held in operative position with respect to the needles by a latch mechanism l2.

The gap closing mechanism of the knitting machine is indicated generally by the character l2 and includes in its construction a pivotal arm I04 which is swung rearwardly and forwardly with respect to the machine when the gap closing mechanism l2 functions in its usual manner in bringing-about the knitting of the hosiery which is minus of reinforcement yarn.

The conventional drive for the dial plate is indicated by the character l3 and includes the usual gear l4 secured on the power shaft l5 journaled on the supporting frame 5. The master control pattern drum of the circular knitting machine is indicated by the character l6 and is shown-as journaled on the supporting frame 5 and is slightly modified by providing thereon additional cams for the operation of the present invention on the, machine. The additional cam ribs are indicated by the character II. It is to .be understood that the other cam ribs on the master control drum I 6 are as usual for the operation of push rods I9, 9. series of which are clearly illustrated in Figure 2 and which effect the operation of a group of yarn fingers 20 employed for feeding into and taking from the needles yarn at the proper time for knitting of ladies hosiery. The master control drum is driven as usual from a master timing mechanism or mopose of the additional lugs, as indicated by the character 24,

V is to render the present invention operative and inoperative, a more detailed de-r scription of which will follow.

It is to be understood that the master timing mtgcdhanism or motion changing device is opera and that a train of gears 25 connects the master timing mechanism with the master control pattern drum. The tucking mechanism is indicated in entirety by the character 21 and it is to be un derstood that the latter is operated as usual by the master timing mechanism or the motion changing device and is only referred to in that a certain timed movement of the rocker 25' thereof brings into operation a part of the present invention, a more detailed description 01' which will be hereinafter given. The various yarn guides are indicated by the character 28 for the yarn fingers 20.

or driven as usual from the power shaft l5 As before stated, the yarn fingers act to feed the different yarns into and out of the needlesso' that full length ladieshosiery will be knitted by the machine including a full length leg portion, a

reinforced heel, sole and instep portions and a reinforced toe portion, a clear illustration of which is given in Figure 27. It is to be understood that the reinforced heel and toe portions are knitted from a comparatively heavy yarn known as Lisle while the foot and leg portions are knitted from real silk or artificial silk yarn.

The -machine also includes a reinforcement yarn finger 29 of standard construction for knitting into the ankle and foot portions of the hosiery a reinforcement consisting of a reinforcing yarn knitted in with the usual yarn which goes. to make up the hosiery.

In a machine of this character there is no provision made for the stopping of feeding in of the reinforcing yarn and cutting said yarn off after manufacture of hosiery through the wast of large amounts'of reinforcing yarn.

To obviate this surplus accumulation of reinforcing yarn in said portions of the hosiery, the present invention is adapted to the machine and acts to cut off the reinforcing yarn at the end of each course and to hold said yarn from feeding into the needles until such time the machine is ready to knit a succeeding course of the reinforcement. Further, the 'presentinventionis so constructed that it will create a selected design in the reinforced portions as indicated or shown in Figure 27 wherein a high spliced heel and a cradle shaped sole with varying lengths to the courses will be produced in the reinforcement to create a selective design thereto, a clear illustration of which is made in Figure 2'7, and it willbe noted that-the edges of the reinforcement have certain parts thereof of stepped formation including several courses to each step while other parts of the edgeswill be substantially straight, all of which is brought about through'the use of the present invention on the circular knitting machine of the character specified.

The character 30 indicates a segmental gear forming a part of the usual drive mechanism of the knitting machine of the-type specified and is only referred to as it is employed in the actuation of a certain part of the present invention which will be hereinafter more fully described.

- guide 4| The foregoing description briefly sets'forth only such parts of the Scott and Williams circular knitting machine that the present invention has direct association with. Therefore, further and more specific description of this machine is not deemed necessary in order to obtain a, thor-. ough understanding as to the construction and operation of the present invention when adapted to th machine.

The cutting and holding means forming a part of the present invention is indicated in entirety by the character 3| and is mounted for sliding movement on a supporting bracket 32 carried by the bed plate of the machine. The cutting and holding means enters the machine from a point exteriorly of the needles and operates solely outwardly of the needles.

The reinforcement yarn guide is indicated in entirety by the character 33 and is mounted tn thelatch ring outwardly of theneedles' for pivotal movement and consists primarily of an arm 34 pivotally mounted on a supporting 1ever.35, as shown at 36. The supporting lever 35 is pivotally mounted on the latch ring, as at 31. The free end of the arm 34 is angularly disposed and has attached thereto a plate 38 provided with a notch 39 which defines spaced guideelement 40 and 4|, one disposed slightly laterally of the other and one of a greater length than the other, as clearly shown in Figure 15. The arm 34 is of such a length that when it is pivoted in one direction the plate 38 with the guide elements! and 4| will be brought within the annular row of needles 8 adjacent to the reinforcement yarn finger 29 so that during the time the reinforcing yarnfinger 29 is moving upwardly to disengage the yarn from the needles, said yarn will move into the slot 39 and extend acrossone face of the guide 40 andover an opposite face of the to position the yarn into the path of the cutting and clamping means-3|. When the reinforcing yarn has been severed and released by the cutting and holding means, said yam' being in engagement with the guides as specified will.

be in position to be again taken up by the needies. 1 Y I I It is to be understood that the arm-'34 swings upwardly and downwardlywith respect to the needles and when swung upwardly'assumesan inoperative position, allowing the reinforcing yarn to get into the main: binder 8' which is standard equipment, and'leaves the yarn finger 29 clear of the needles which takes place when the machine is knitting other portions of the hosiery than the "portion inwhich the reinforcement is formed.

A connecting link 42 is pivotally connected to the arm 34 of the reinforcement yarn guide 33,

as shown at 43, and is in turn pivotally connected to the upper end of a push rod 44 mounted for slidingmovement on the machine along with the other push rods I9 and rides the master control drum l6 under spring pressure to be engaged and disengaged by the cam ribs l1; whereby the reinforcement yarn guide 33 will be brought :into operative and inoperative positions with respect to the needles. It is to be under'stoodthat' the master control drum positions the reinforcement yarn guide 33 in an inoperative position during the time that the machine is knitting any portion of the hosiery which does not have the reinforcement therein. The employment of the yarn guide 33 is extremely important to the succe'ssof the present invention on the circular knitting machine, otherwise the reinforcement yarn would not be guided into proper position to be cut and held by the cutting and holding means 3| arranged exteriorly of the needle. Also, the reinforcement yarn guide '33 is important in that it guides the reinforcement yarn into the needles gillhen releasediby said cutting and holding means The cutting and clamping means 3| consists primarily of a scissor construction including a relatively fixed blade 45 and a pivotally'mounted blade 46 to coact with the blade 45 and is pivoted thereto, as shown at 41, and carries on its pivoted end an arcuately curved cam extension 48; A

' leaf spring 49 is secured to the pivot 41 and bears Tia ; 45 and 46 are in cutting position so that the severed yarn will be held until such time that the blades separate.

The relatively fixed blade '45 is secured on one end of a substantially L-shaped plate 50 which is slidably secured on a block and in which is mounted a spring-pressed plunger 52 acting on the L-shaped plate 50 to urge the scissor construction away from the needles or in a retracted position with relation to said needles. The block 5| is journaled on a vertically arranged shaft 53 and the latter is mounted on a bracket 54 carried by the bed plate 6 of the knitting machine. The bracket 54 also supports a cam guide 55 inwhich is slidably mounted a spring influenced cam 56, the high and low faces of which are adapted to ride irito and out of engagement with the L- shaped plate 50 for advancing the scissor construction towards the needles and to-permit the retraction of said scissor construction from the needles during certain operations of the device;

A guide 51 is mounted on the block 5| and receives the cam extension 48 on the pivoted blade 46. When the cam 56 is moved downwardly it advances the blades towards'the needles and as said blades travel in the stated direction, the cam extension 48 operating in'the guide 51 causes a pivotal movement'of the blade- 46 towards the blade 45 or in other words, brings about movement of the blade 46 over the blade 45 so as to cut and clamp the reinforcing yarn. When the cam 56 moves upwardly the spring influenced plunger 52 slides the scissor construction away from the needles as before stated and this movement brings abouta pivotal movement of the blade 46 away from the blade 45, consequently releasing the reinforcing yarn held thereby. The

movement of the blade 46 away from the blade 45.

is caused by the cam extension 48 movin in the guide 51.

An adjustable stop 58 is mounted on the bracket 54 for limiting the-pivotal movement of the scissor construction or its ,mounting. block 5| in one direction. A spring 59 is connected'to the block 5| for urging the latter into engagement with the adjustable stop 58. When the block is in engagement with the stop the scissor construction, consisting of the blades 45 and "is positioned in proper --al, ,gnment to move towards an from the needles.

A curved arm 60 is secured on a gap closing arm I04 carried by the dial head construction and which is movable therewith and when the dial head is elevated to expose the needles the curved arm 60 engages theblock 5| and imparts pivotal movement thereto away from the stopv 58 bringing about a swinging movement of the scissor construction to completely clear the space in the vicinity of the needles so that a person can conveniently adjust or manipulate the needles without interference from the scissor construction when the dial head is in an elevated position. The scissor construction is now in one of its inoperative positions. However, when the dial head returned to a latched position, the curved arm 6|] disengages from the block 5| and the spring 59 restores the scissor construction in proper position for movement inwardly and outwardly from the needles in the manner heretofore specified.

The cam 56 includes a substantially L-shaped arm 6| which engages with a pivotally mounted lever 62, the pivot of which is indicated by the character 63. The lever 62 is'connected by its pivot 63 onto the latch ring-9 of the knitting machine. One end of the lever 62 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a connecting rod 64 which is adjustable as to length, as indicated at 65. The lower end of the connecting rod 64 is pivoted to one end of a lever 66 pivoted on the rear portion of the knittin machine directly above the master control drum, as shown at 61, and has an upturned end 68 which engages with a lever 69 and also is provided with a notch 10 that will permit pivotal movement of said lever 66 without affecting or moving an arm 1| which substantially parallels the arm 69.

The arms 69 and 1| are of the shape as shown in Figure 16a and are journaled in a bracket 12 mounted on the frame 5 of the machine. Cam levers 13 and 14 have riding contact with the arms 69 and 1|, respectively, and are capable of sliding endwise of said arms. .The cam levers 13 and 14 are journaled on a shaft 15 and the latter is rotatably and slidably mounted on the bracket 12, also the cam levers 13 and 14 are movable of the reinforcement pattern drum to the other end. This reinforcement pattern drum effects operation of the cutting and holding means 3| and also the reinforcement yarn finger 28. The

. arm 1| engages with a lever 19 which parallels the lever 66 and utilizes its pivot 61 as its mounting andengages with a lug 80 secured on the push rod l9 which actuates the reinforcement yarn finger 29.

To adjust the cam levers 13 and 14 with respect to the cam ribs 18 of the reinforcement pattern drum 16, the shaft 1 ust have an endwise movement imparted thereto and also in a step by step manner. To accomplish this movement of the shaft 15 to bring about the adjustment of the cam levers.c.13 and 14 on the reinforcement pattern drum, a ratchet disc 8| is journaled on" the bracket 12outwardl'y of the said bracket 12 and the journal shaft 82 thereof forms a pivot for a cam lever 83 which isadapted to ride against series of'cam elements 84 adjustably mounted on one face of the ratchet disc 8|. The other end of the cam lever 83 is connected to-the shaft 15, as shown at 85. The cam elements 84 are arranged in a circular path upon the ratchet disc, and are, arranged in two groups as shown inIigure 4, that is, the cam elements of one group progress'in height from one end of said group to the other end of said group and the cam elements of the other or second group progressively decrease in height.

The ratchet gear 8| is rotated in a step by step movement so that the cam lever 33 rides onto the cam elements 84 which progressively increase in height and then on the cam elements which decrease in height to bring about a sliding movement of the shaft 15 first in one direction and then in an opposite direction to adjust the cam le'vers 13 and 14 from one of the cam ribs to another 'of said reinforcement pattern drum 16until said levers 13 and 14 have completed engagement with all of the cam ribs 18 in one direction of said pattern drum and then adjust said cam levers 13 and 14 over the various cam ribs of the pattern drum 16 in a reverse direction of said pattern drum 16. A spring 14" is connected to the supporting frame and to the shaft 15 for urging the latter in a direction that the cam lever 83 will ride the cam elements 84, and also to draw the shaft15 in a direction of moving the cam levers 13 and 14 in a reverse The tooth A is for the purpose of setting the ratchet gear 8| 'for the starting of the knitting of the reinforcement pattern in the fabric of the hosiery.

A friction brake a1 is mounted on the bracket 12 and bears against the ratchet disc 8| with suflicient force to prevent accidental rotation of the ratchet disc.

A rock shaft 88 is journaled on the frame 5 of the machine and has secured to one end an arm 89 which has riding contact with the segmental gear 38 of the drive mechanism of the machine for the purpose of rocking the shaft 88 in opposite directions, it being understood that the segmental gear 38 of the drive mechanism oscillates. An arm 89' is secured to the other endof the rock shaft 88 and has connected thereto a spring 98 which is in turn connected to the bed plate for the purpose of urging the shaft 88 in a direction to maintain the arm 89 in wiping contact with the segmental gear 38. a A dog 9| is pivoted to the arm 89' for coaction with the teeth on the ratchet gear 8| and is spring influenced in the direction of said teeth by a spring 92'.

Sleeves 92 and 93 are journaled on the shaft 15. The sleeve 93 forms a pivot for a bell crank lever 94 which has one end pivotally connected to the sleeve 92 and the other end is pivotally connected to an operating rod 95 which is connected to the rocker 25' of the motion changing device 2| of the knitting machine. A bracket 98 is secured to the sleeve 92 and carries arms 91 and 98 spring influenced towards each other by a spring 98'. The arm 98 is pivoted on the bracket while the arm 91 is fixed thereto and carries a pin 99 which engages with one edge of the arm 98 to swing the latter in one direction or in a direction of holding the dog 9| away from the teeth of the ratchet gear 8|. The movement of the rocker 25 causes a movement of the sleeve 92 in one direction which will bring about holding of the dog 9| out of the path of the teeth of the ratchetgear 8| and a movement of the rocker 25 in an opposite direction will so position the arms 91 and 99 that the dog 9| may move into engagement with the teeth of theratchet gear 8|.

The push rod 44 of the reinforcement yarn guide has secured thereto a stop rod |88 which is adapted to underlie the lever 86, as shown in Figure 4, to act as a latch therefor, and also the push rod 48 has adjustably secured theretoa rod |8| provided with an offset I82. The rod |8|. is in the path of a pin 99 carried by the dog regulating arm 91, so that when the push rod 44 is on one of the cams H of the master pattern drum which positions the yarn guide 33 in an inoperative p sition, the dog 9| will be held by the arm 98 so at it cannot engage thetooth of the ratchet disc 8|, consequently rendering inoperative the'patternmechanism of the present invention. However, when said push rod rides off of the cam |1,'the offset I82 of the rod |8| moves opposite the pin 99 so that the arm 98 will permit the dog 9| to move into position under the influence of the spring 92' to engage with the tooth A and thereby bring about the starting of the stepped movement of the ratchet disc and consequently start the operation of the complete pattern mechanism of the present invention.

During the time the machine is knitting the Lisle heel and toe portions of the hosiery the cutting and holding means 3| is swung .on its pivot to assume a position which is entirely clear of the needles. In order to accomplish this, the cam 58 is moved downwardly by the push rod 44 moving on one of the cam ribs H of the drum l8 and the stop rod |88 on the push rod 44 engages the lever 68, imparting pivotal movement thereto which moves one end of said lever 88 away from the arm 89 so as to render the cutting and holding means 3| inoperative. During the time the machine is knitting the Lisle heel and toe portions of the hosiery, the cutting and holding means 3| is swung on its pivot to assume a position which is entirely clear of the needles or into an inoperative position. At this time thegap-closing arm I84 of said needles moves rearwardly to bring about knitting of the heel and. toe portions and as said arm I84 moves, it swings said cutting and holding means 3| clear of said needles or into inoperative position. At substantially the same time as the above [operation takes place, the push rod 34 moves onto one of the cam ribs H of the drum l6 and the stop rod |88 engages the lever 68 and imparts pivotal movement thereto which moves one end of said lever 88 away from the arm t9. The pivotal movement of the lever 86 moves the connecting rod 54 upwardly and through the pivot lever 82 pulls the cam 56 downwardly, positioning the high face thereof to one side of the angularly related end of the nism of the knitting machine must reverse its movement after completing the heel and toe portions to bring about knitting of the fabric which does not have the reinforcement yarn therein and on its return movement it permits the cutting and holding means 3| to swing into a second inoperative position wherein the L-shaped bracket 58 thereof comes in contact with a side face of the cam 56, remaining in this position until the cam 56 is allowed to return to its uppermost position for the operation of the cutting and holding means inwardly and outwardly with respect to the needles.

The foregoing describes the various parts of the present invention and its application to a circular knitting machine of the type specified and also sets forth the parts of said machine to which 'with the heel and toe portions thereof knitted of a heavier yarn than the leg and foot portions.

- Therefore, it is not deemed necessary to explain the operation of the machine in detail in this respect.

It is to be understood that. the machine is set in operation to knit the leg portion and on the completion thereof one of the lugs of the group of lugs 24 on the chain 22 actuates the motion changing device, so that therocker 25' thereof is caused to-move, which movement actuates the arm 88 to allow the dog 9| to move into a position that will permit-it to engage the low tooth A on the ratchet plate 8i. At the same time the push rod 44 moves eff of the cam ribs II on the main pattern drum l8, which positions the offset I02 of the rod IOI opposite the pin 99 to allow the arm 98 to move sufficiently to permit the dog 8| to assume said position relative to the low tooth A. The downward movement of the push rod 44 onto the face of the master pattern drum l8 brings the reinforcement yarn guide 33 into operative position with respect to the needles and the reinforcing yarn finger 28. Said downward movement of the push rod 44, frees the lever 68 for pivotal movement and thereby permits the cam 58 to move upwardly under the influence of the spring connected thereto. When the cam 56 moves upwardly the low face thereof assumes a position to permit the cutting and holding means 8| to swing on its pivot from its second inoperative position to its operative position for movement towards and from the needles. At the time of the push rod 44 moving downwardly, the master control drum I6 permits the reinforcing yarn finger 28 to move into position of presenting the reinforcing yarn to the needles for the knitting of the first series of courses of the reinforcement shown in Figure 27 and designated by the character B. During this period of knitting, the cam levers I3 and I4 are riding the pattern drum 18 between the ends of the first cam ribs I8 thereon when looking at said pattern drum in Figure 4. As each course of the series of courses shown at B of the reinforcement is completed, the cam lever I3 rides on the first cam ribs I8 which brings about movement of the arm II which actuates the lever I9 and the latter pushes upwardly on the push rod which actuates the yarn finger 29 into elevated position. This position of the yarn finger 29 takes the yarn from the needles to the yarn guide 33 and the latter guides the reinforcing yarn into a position to be cut and held by said cutting and clamping means 3|. Also at this time or just trailing the cam lever I3, the cam lever I4 engages the first cam rib 18 on the pattern drum I6 which actuates the arm 69 and the latter'rocks the lever 66 which pushes upwardly on the connecting rod 64 and the latter rocks the lever 62 which pulls the cam 58 downwardly and the latter slides the cutting and holding means 3| towards the needles to out and grip the reinforcing yarn. This completes One course of the section B of the reinforcement. The cutting and clamping means holds the reinforcing yarn until the machine is ready to knit the next course of the section B of the reinforcement.

The following courses of the section B are accordingly knitted and the reinforcing yarn out after each of saidcourses as specified in connection with the knittin of the first courses. At the completion of the first course, the reinforcing yarn is held by the cutting and clamping means 3|, the yarn finger 29 again moving downwardly moves the reinforcing yarn over and off of the guide finger 48 which again presents the reinforcing yarn to the needles. This is believed'to explain how the device functions in the making of the courses of the section B of the reinforcement and also will explain the knitting of the other courses of the reinforcement minus the forming of the stepped edges of said reinforcement. To form the stepped edges of the reinforcement, the knitting of the courses therein is in accordance with the knitting of the courses of the section B except that the courses which make up the stepped edges are in groups of two or more courses to each step and the courses of each step are of the same length. However, to

form the stepped edges of the reinforcement the courses must be increased as to length in the different steps. In order to accomplish this, the cam levers I3 and I4 must be advanced to engage the cam ribs I8 consecutively on the pattern drum I8. To bring about advancing of said cam levers I8 and 14 from one cam rib I8 to the adjacent cam rib 18 another lug'of the group of lugs 24 of the chain actuates the rocker 25' of the motion changing device which moves the dog 9| into position to engage the teeth of the ratchet plate 8| for the advance thereof one step. On the advan'ce of the ratchet plate 8| one step, the rocker shaft 88 is actuated by the segmental-shaped gear 38 of the drive mechanism of the knitting machine. The stepped movement of the notched plate 8| slides the shaft I5 a limited distance to bring the cam levers I3 and I4 into engagement with the next cam rib of the pattern drum whereby the knitting of the courses of the second step of the design willbe increased in length. The same operation is repeated for the courses of the succeeding steps of the design, except when the design requires the shortening of the courses in the different steps the cam levers I3 and 14 are moved in a reverse direction by the cam lever 83 being actuated by the group of cams 84 which decrease in height.

The reinforcement pattern thu formed in the hosiery besides strengthening the latter gives an attractive and neat appearance to the hosiery.

Further, the design selected as to the reinforcement in the sole of thehosiery renders that portion of the hosiery form-fitting to the instep portion of the foot.

Further it will be seen that the rein-forcing yarn being out off at the end of each course of the reinforcement will only leave on the interior of the hosiery comparatively short ends to the that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made without 'on the completion of each course,

.yarn finger in guiding thereforfortheknitting fabric, a reinforcing yarn one of a greater length Having thus described the invention, what I claim is: U

a 1. In a ladies hosiery circular knitting machine including a knitting mechanism having circularly arranged needles and yarn feed means therefor for the knitting of non-reinforced hosiery fabric, a reinforcing yarn finger operated by said machine for feeding into the needles reinforcing yarn arranged in courses'an-d for removing the reinforced-yarn from the 'needles a yarn guide operated bythe machine and coacting with the the reinforced yarn into and out of the needles and into a position to be held and cut outwardly of the group of needles,

and a combined cutter and holding means operated by the machine to cut the reinforcing yarn withdrawn from the needles on the completion of 'each'courseandto hold said reinforcing yarn until such 'timethe yarn finger acts to again present the reinforcing yarn to theneedles for the making of thenext course.

; 2. In a ladies hosiery circular knitting machine including a knitting mechanism having circularly arranged needles and yarn feed'means of non-reinforced hosiery finger operated by said machine forfeeding into the needles reinforcing yarn arranged in courses and for removingthe reinforcing yarn from the needles on the completion of each course, a yarn guide operated by the machine and coacting with the yarn finger in guiding the reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles and into position to be held and cut outwardly of the group of needles and including a plate having a slot defining spaced guide elements one disposed slightly laterally of the other and than the other for the reinforcing yarn to engage with, and a combined cutter and holding means operated by the machine to cut the reinforcing ya'rn withdrawn from the needles on the completion of each course and to hold said reinforcing yarn until such time the yarn finger acts in cooperation with the yarn guide to again present the reinforced yarn to the needles for the making of the next course.

3., In a ladies hosiery circular knittingmachine including a knitting mechanism having circularly arranged needles and yarn feed means therefor for the knitting of non-reinforced hosiery fabric, a reinforcing yarn finger operated by said machine for feeding into the needles reinforcing yarn arranged in courses and for removing the reinforcing yarn from the needles on the completion of each course, a yarn guide operated by the machine and coacting with the yarn finger in and out of the needles and into position to be held and cut outwardly of the group of needles and including a plate having a slot defining spaced guide elements one disposed slightly laterally of the other and one of a greater length than the other for the reinforcing yarn to engage with, and a combined cutter and holding means slidably and pivotally mounted on the machine and including a scissor construction to cut the reinforcing yarn withdrawn from the needles on the completion of each course and to hold said reinforcing yarn until such time the yarn finger acts to again present the reinforcing yarn to the needles for the making of the next course,

guiding the reinforcing yarn into and means for operating the scissor construction by the machine.

4. Inaladies hosiery circular knitting machine including a knitting mechanism having circularly arranged needles and yarn feed means therefor for the knitting of hosiery fabric, a reinforcing yarn finger operated by said machine for feeding into the needles reinforcing yarn arranged in courses and for removing the reinforcing yarn from the needles on the completion of each course, a yarn guide operated by the machine and coacting with the yarn finger in guiding the reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles and into position to be held and cut outwardly of the group of needles, a'holding and cutting means mounted on and operated by. the machine and located outwardly of the group of needles to cut the reinforcing yarn at the completion of each course and to hold said yarn until the yarn finger again acts to present the reinforcing yarn to the-needles for the making of next course and includes a scissor construction consisting of pivotally connected blades and a pivotal and slidable mounting for one of the blades on the machine, and a tensioning spring for creating pressure of one blade on the other and to coact with one of the blades in gripping the reinforcing yarn when being cut.

5. In an attachment for circular knitting machines, a holding and cutting mechanism comprising pivotally connected blades adapted-for scissor movement, a plate secured to one of the blades, means for slidably supporting said plate, means for sliding the plate in opposite directions to bodily move said blades in opposite directions, a spring member acting to urge the blades to have binding action on each other whenrmoved in overlapped relation, for cutting yarn .and coacting with one of the blades in gripping and holding the yarn, and means for pivoting one blade in relation to'the other blade and in opposite directions by the sliding movement of the blades bodily in opposite directions.

6. In an attachment machine, a holding and prising pivotally connected blades adapted for scissor movement, a plate secured to one of the blades, means for slidably supporting said plate, means for sliding the plate in opposite directions to bodily move said blades in opposite directions, a spring member acting to urge the blades to have binding action on each other when moved in overlapped relation for cutting yarn and coacting with one of the blades in gripping and holding the yarn, a guide on said plate, a curved extension formed on one of the blades and operating in the guide to bring about pivotal movement of the latter-named blade in respect to the other blade during the sliding movement of the blades bodily in opposite directions.

'7. In a hosiery circular knitting machine of the character described including a circular knitting mechanism for knitting hosiery fabric having a group of circularly arranged needles and an operating means therefor anda yarn feeding means for said needles, said operating means including a main pattern drum yarn feeding means, a yarn reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles and for positioning the reinforcing yarn to be held and cut entirely outwardly of the group of needles, a yarn guide on the machine and coacting with the yarn finger for the positioning of the yarn to be cut and for guiding the yarn on its return to the needles by said finger, a holding for a circular knitting I cutting mechanism comfor operating said finger for feeding and cutting means on the machine to cut the yarn when outwardly of the needles and for holding the yarn until acted on by the finger in restoring the yarn to said needles, means operated by the pattern drum to render said yarn finger and yarn guide operative and inoperative, and means operated by the machine to cause the reinforcing yarn to be knitted into the fabric in a selected design.

8. In a hosiery circular knitting machine of the character described including a circular knitting mechanism for knitting hosiery fabric and having a group of needles for knitting courses and operating means therefor including a main pattern drum, a yarn finger for feeding reinforcing yam into and out of the needles for knitting said reinforcing yarn into selected areas of the fabric and in courses, a guide for the reinforcing yarn and coacting with the finger in guiding the reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles and into a position to be held and cut at the end of 'each course, means operated by the-pattern drumto render the finger and guide operative and inoperative, means operated by the machine for holding and cutting the reinforcing yarn at the end of each course, a design pattern drum operated by the machine, means operated by said design pattern drum for the control and actuation of the yarn finger to bring about the formation of the courses in a selected design.

9. Ina hosiery circular knitting machine of the character descril'od including a circular knitting mechanism for knitting hosiery fabric and having a group of needles for knitting courses a and operating means therefor including a main pattern drum, a yarn finger for feeding reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles for knitting said reinforcing yarn into selected areas of the fabric and in-courses, a guide for the reinforcing yarn and-coacting with the finger in guiding the reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles and into a position to be held and cut at the =nd of each course, means operated by the pattern drum to render the finger and guide operative and inoperative, means operated by the machine for holding and cutting the reinforcing yarn at the end of each course, a design pattern drum operated by the machine, means operated by said .design pattern drum for the control and actuation of the yarn finger to bring about the formation of the courses in a selected design, and within a selected area of the fabric and in groups of courses varying in length with a selected number of courses of the same length in each group.

10. In a hosiery circular knitting machine of the'character described including a circular knitting mechanism for knitting hosiery fabric and having a group of needles for knitting courses and operating means therefor including a main by the machine for holding and cutting the relnforcing yarn at the end of each course, a design pattern drum operated by the machine, means operated by said design pattern drum for the control and actuation of the yarn finger to bring about the formation of the courses in a selected design and within a selected area of the fabric and in groups of courses varying in length with a selected number of courses of the same length in each group, said last-named means including cam levers engaging the design pattern drum and movable into selected positions thereon, and means operated by the machine for actuating the cam levers into selected positions.

11. In a hosiery circular knitting machine of the character described including a circular knitting mechanism for knitting hosiery fabric and having a group of needles for knitting courses and operating means therefor including a main pattern drum, yarn finger for feeding reinforcing yarn into and out of the needles for knitting said reinforcing yain'into selected areas of the fabric and in courses, a guide for the reinforcing yarn and coacting with the finger in guiding the reinf 'rcing yarn into and out of the needles and into a position to be held and cut at the end of each course, means operated by the pattern drum to render the finger and guide operative and inoperative, means operated by the machine for holding and cutting the reinforcing yarn at the end of each course, a design pattern drum operated by the machine, means operated by said design pattern drum forthe control and actuation of the yarn finger to bring about the formai said last-named'means including cam lev'ers engaging the design pattern drum and movable into selected positions thereon, and means operated by the machine for actuating the cam levers intoselected positions, said last means inc uding a step by step motion device for the movement of the cam levers into the vdifierent positions onthe design pattern drum.

. ELWOOD P. BELLMAN. 

